Renal transplantation program in Cuba.

Kidney transplantation has been performed in Cuba since 1970. In 1979, compatible living-related donors were introduced into our renal transplantation program. There are 43 hospitals distributed around the country with a multidisciplinary group that attends cadaveric donors with encephalic death. The donor rate in Cuba oscillates between 15 and 18 per million; 90% of them are from cadaveric donors. This program includes 47 dialysis centers throughout the country with 2300 patients as supported by a National Coordinating Center at The Nephrology Institute. Cuba is one of the first countries in our region with this experience.